Bathymetric maps highlighting seep locations

Bathymetric maps highlighting active seep sites. (Left) An area offshore of Coos Bay, Oregon where USGS scientists have imaged a possible mud volcano, formed by over-pressured fluidized sediment erupting from the seafloor and forming a cone-like feature. ROV dives on the E/V Nautilus in the area did not identify any active eruptions, but USGS visited a number of seafloor seeps on the top of the cone (yellow circles) surrounded by carbonate rock. (Right) An area where bedrock with arcuate bedding is exposed on the seafloor. This arcuate pattern is mimicked by seafloor scarps and seeps (yellow circles) farther upslope. This is an area where the USGS will be looking closer at the relationship between bedrock structure, fluid flow, and the formation of seafloor scarps.